Summary

Part 1: Losing Faith

Spreading the Good News

In this chapter, Barker gives a brief autobiography, from the age of
15 when he felt called to preach. He describes his career as a
musician and preacher, and finally a thirst for knowledge that
eventually eroded his faith and turned him from a
fundamentalist to a liberal Christian and finally into an
atheist.

Ripples: From Faith to Reason

Wanting to make a clean break with the past, Barker sent a letter to
his family, friends, and business associates announcing his
deconversion, and got a wide variety of reactions. Some
friendships survived, others were destroyed. He sees this as a
crucible that showed him which friendships were solid and which ones
were not.

As a result of the discussions resulting from this letter, both of
Barker's parents became atheists. His story was featured in a
newspaper, which led to correspondence with his current wife,
Annie Laurie Gaylor.

I Just Lost Faith in Faith

This chapter is a reprint of an article that Barker wrote for the June
1984 edition of Freethought Today, his first article in that
publication.

He describes his deconversion and the effect that it had on people
around him. In particular, he says he was quite happy as a Christian;
it was not unhappiness but rational inquiry that led to his
deconversion. There are big problems with religion, but the
answers proffered — especially "faith" — are unsatisfying
and shallow.

and others. But many of these beliefs are accepted for no good reason,
and by questioning them or pointing out their flaws, it is possible to
undercut the evangelist's message.

From Martian to Earthling

The difference between a theist and an atheist is not simply a matter
of drawing different conclusions from the same data; it is a
difference in worldview. Switching to a new worldview is similar to
learning a new language, except that one leaves the old worldview
behind.

Deconversion proceeds through a stage of growing awareness of other
points of view; a stage of consideration of these other points of
view, and confronting the problems with one's existing worldview
(which can be painful); and finally, a stage of incorporation: one has
made the transition to the new worldview, but has yet to fully work
through all the consequences and integrate them into one's new
worldview.

The transition from theist to atheist is a frightening leap into the
unknown, and during this time it is helpful to have a community of
people with whom one can discuss religious issues.

When All Things Worked Together for Good

(Originally published in Freethought Today, 1985.)

Barker recounts his experiences working with a preacher who performed
"miraculous" healings, as well as his own experiences performing them.
One time in particular, he prayed over a woman with arthritis; then,
when nothing seemed to happen, told her, "Woman, according to thy
faith be it unto thee", as a way of shifting the blame for the lack of
recovery from God to the woman.

Ministers I Have Known

Barker presents a patchwork collage of ministers and preachers he
encountered during his time as an itinerant minister. While some are
con men, others are simply inept, and all have their quirks.

He tells of the sense of rivalry between ministers, and how they feel
the need to brag to each other about how much their congregation has
grown, or how much money they've raised. But as a result of this, and
of their position of authority within their own churches, they have
few opportunities to open up to another person.

Some Mistakes

(Originally published in Freethought Today, 1985.)

Shortly before his deconversion, Barker heard a preacher mention the
name of Bob Ingersoll. Wanting to know more about
this critic of the Bible, to see where and how he was wrong, Barker
read a collection of his essays and found a kindred spirit and an
honest critic.

Part 2: Finding Freethought

Why I Am an Atheist

Barker is an atheist because there is no evidence for God. Facile
accusations by believers are untrue, and many of the arguments
presented for God apply equally well to Santa Claus. Evidences such as
revelation, accounts of miracles, ontological arguments, etc.
are found wanting. The Bible and people's faith can be explained
naturally.

Defenders of the faith want atheists to study the Bible before
committing themselves; yet millions are accepted as Christians despite
having only a passing familiarity with the Bible; and it is acceptable
to reject other faiths without having read their holy scriptures. The
important thing is not what we believe, but how we go about
determining what is true. Pastors are not necessarily wise or good at
thinking critically. Theists tend to consider wise that which
reinforces their existing conclusions, not that which uncovers
uncomfortable truth.

Inaccurate Conception

(Originally published in Freethought Today, 1986.)

Words like morality, love, humanist have different meanings inside and
outside religion. Agnosticism is "the refusal to take as a fact
any statement for which there is insufficient evidence." Atheism is
merely a lack of belief in any gods; it does not imply morality,
motives, political views, or anything else. For those, something else
must be added, such as "humanist" or "feminist".

The Great Escape

(Originally published in Freethought Today, 1991.)

Faith is not a way of knowing, it is a cop-out. It is not necessary to
proclaim faith in that which exists; the evidence should suffice. The
Bible admits that God cannot be known, but must simply be believed in.
Unlike conclusions drawn from evidence, faith remains strong even in
the absence of evidence.